OATdb Archive - Sam Houston State University

OATdb Archive

2014 - 2015

Public Administration MPA

Goal

Written Comprehensive Exams

Students will gain knowledge and skills that are associated with advanced degrees in public administration.

Objective

Written Comprehensive Exams

Students must demonstrate competency in the some of the core areas of public administration including financial management, research methods, and ethics.

Indicator

Successful Completion Of Written Comprehensive Exams

We utilize written comprehensive exams as a tool for measuring students' knowledge and skills. Prior to graduation students complete three written comprehensive exams in areas relevant to their coursework. Exam questions are written by faculty with expertise in the students' areas of study and the questions are based on the comprehensive exam reading lists and the content of the overview courses (see department level goal of revise written comprehensive exam process for more information on the reading lists and overview courses). Students' exams are graded by at least two faculty members (more when possible) who have expertise in the areas of study pursued by students. Exams are assigned one of the following scores: high pass, pass, and no pass. If the two faculty members issue conflicting scores (e.g., pass and no pass), a third faculty member will be asked to score the exams and issue a final ruling.

Criterion

Written Comprehensive Exams

We expect that at least 80% of our students will pass their exams on the first attempt and that 100% of the students who have to take the exam a second time will pass.

Finding

Exam Results

Eight students took the comprehensive exams and all received passes on their first attempt. Although the results were acceptable, MPA faculty were concerned with the lack of high passes.

Action

Comprehensive Exams

The MPA director along with MPA faculty members will engage in program evaluation this coming year. Special emphasis will be placed on student learning outcomes for courses in the degree plan and the content of comprehensive exams.

Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

The goals for the previous year were kept to a minimum as the program was undergoing a change in MPA directorship position and new MPA faculty were being hired. The goal of assessing student through the use of written comprehensive exams was completed.

Plan for continuous improvement The following action will be taken:
1. Incoming students will be required to submit a professional statement that gives the MPA director insight into students' skills prior to entering the program. Upon graduation students will be asked to complete a survey which will include a set of self-assessment questions designed to capture students' opinion of how the program improved their skills.
2. The MPA director and faculty will complete an internal assessment of the MPA program. Part of the assessment will focus on student learning objectives in the context of specific courses, the concentration, and the overall degree plan.